Defining the Great Depression and the New Deal
...inistrations (NRA and AAA respectively) were established in attempt to provide order for the chaotic economy, “to correct the system’s central maladjustments, and to spur the return of good times” (Rosenof, 1975). To explain further, these two administrations established policies that would ensure the foundations of large-scale enterprise and American capitalism to remain in place, but introduce some government regulation so that these two ideals could “work together” (Rosenof, 1975). Political strife began because of differences between the New Deal’s administration and the business community at large. Although slight improvements in the economy were evident, the NRA and AAA were declared unconstitutional, and were later rejected. Shortly after that, the “second” New Deal was established – business – government relations soured and the political philosophy turned from “cooperation” to “antimonopolism”. The monopoly was then seen as the true barrier to economic recovery. Intellectual debate roused in the 1930’s. Criticism of Roosevelt occurred from both the conservatives and the liberals. Economic order planning, social order planning, and questions revolving around the American way were spurred. Strikes and protests proliferated across the nation: in general, workers, the elderly, farmers, minorities, and the unemployed called for more and better change (see figure 2). But this had little effect on the political leaders – the American tradition was strong. According to Rosenof (1975), they were convinced that the depression was solely a “money problem”, and that free enterprise and political liberty were inextricably linked. During the “Second Hundred Days”, defined as the time in which the most progressive laws were set, Roosevelt adopted Keynesianism in order to drastically shift the economy. Keynesianism, established by Britain’s John Maynard Keynes, was the theory that each government dollar spent had a multiplier effect; government spending would increase money going into the gross national product. Roosevelt’s plan was for the nation to enter into deficit spending in order to generate economic activity. Roosevelt felt that if a radical plan like this was not established, then the nation’s people would revolt. Roosevelt began a massive government cost-cutting drive. This actually exacerbated problems; however it was part of Roosevelt’s plans of massive reform. Keynesianism became “New Deal’s” new economic strategy. Other reform strategies evolved. The Social Security Act of 1935 brought forth pensions for the elderly and unemployment insurance. It ignored the needs of many other minority groups and it was meager subsidies at first; nevertheless, it joined in relief for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. The Wagner Act helped labourers’ unions grow; it actually set the stage for auto workers unions. The Resettlement Administration (RA) helped mid-west farming families resettle to more productive regions (see figure 3). Programs were implemented to cease and mend the desiccating Great Plains, known as The Dust Bowl, and the RA moved in to help relocate the farming families in these areas. Large-scale water policies were implemented to provide power, irrigation, and cease flooding. For example, Hoover Dam, Boulder Dam, and the Grand Coulee Dam were built as large public works systems to help “kick-start” the West’s economy. The Committee of Industrial Reform (CIO) organized mass-production industrial workers – they opened unions to all, regardless of skill level, age, sex, race or ethnicity (www.plainfield.k12.in.us/). For the first time in history, the organized labour movement gained a place in America’s industries. Essentially, this offered labourers shorter working hours, better working conditions, and higher wages. Indians felt the effects of the New Deal. The legacy of assimilation was that of a lost culture with symptoms of corruption, abuse, mismanagement, suicide, substance abuse, and so on. However, in 1933, Roosevelt appointed John Collier to: 1). abolish the sale of Indian lands, 2). obtain work for Indians under sub-programs, 3). create day schools, 4). Help establish Indian sovereignty by increasing Indians land ownership for economic development. In short, the federal government planned to help the Indians. Significant changes due to the Great Depression and the New Deal were also felt by women. The number of single and married women that entered the workforce grew significantly. The New Deal opened up a women’s network – women’s influence was felt within the political realm. Women political figures were recognized and listened to. For example, Eleanor Roosevelt helped the widespread women’s movement. Molly Dewson helped women run election campaigns; she traveled the country educating women about democracy. Dewson also helped persuade the President to appoint a woman, Frances Perkins, to cabinet. Perkins was the first woman cabinet minister ever. “Perkins defined feminism as the movement of women to participate in service to society” (Faragher et al, 2003). Significant gains were made by women in the workforce during these times. Other minorities, particularly African Americans felt the effects of the Great Depression the hardest. They were the last peoples hired for work, and the first ones to get fired (Faragher et al, 2003). Unfortunately the Roosevelt administration did little to stop this, racism and segregation. Roosevelt did, however, establish a “Black Cabinet”, in which many African Americans were appointed to his administration. Mary McLeod Bethune was appointed to form a program in which illiteracy among black peoples would decrease. Overall though, Roosevelt did little to help civil rights for African Americans, even though the black voters shifted popular vote in his support. Mexican Americans felt negative effects from the depression as well. Masses faced deportation; others faced poverty. New Deal programs for those that remained helped only those that owned large agricultural companies – it ignored independent growers. Culture in the 1930’s was affected by the Great Depression: in general, the popular culture’s Hollywood movies, radio broadcasting and jazz, and America’s teachers, artists, and writers. Federal Project No. 1 was established to provide work for both intellectuals and artists that were unemployed. They primarily recorded textual and illustrated images of the Great Depression’s effects on ordinary peoples. They proved to capture emotions and the workings of the daily lives of everyone during the depression, thus creating a deeper appreciation for what was happening to the nation. They also recorded images of minorities. Theatre plays were created depicting the depression and its effects; famous photographs, songs, paintings, and other works of art were created during this time (i.e. Jonh Steinbeck’s 1939 novel, Grapes of Wrath). Roosevelt supported this because his belief was that social change cannot occur without sincere sentiment. The idea for the artists, who were in essence documentary makers, was record everything they witnessed. The desperation brought on by the depression was dualed with the utmost determination by these folk – the determination for overcoming the worst, and eventually succeeding. Hollywood movies and musicals were a very popular form of entertainment during this time. Different film genres popularized during the depression. Some filmmakers popularized core American values, others produced comedies, some produced stories of triumph and justice, and still others produced cartoons. Radio broadcasting was extremely popul...